He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Introduction
This is incomplete. I’ve got alot of changes and notes that I have yet to add in here, but you can read what I got… 🙂
I really love this beginning verse of the message. It’s got to be one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? This is kinda of a summation of what we believe as believers. Especially as baptists this about sums up our religion. I know it’s not a denomination that’s going to save you and you know that too. But do you realize that there’s a millions upon millions out there in the so-called Christian religion that will die and go to hell because they think that they’re going to get to heaven or paradise or whatever they believe by their works. They don’t believe that he’s going to freely give us all things. They believe that they’ve got to earn them, not receive them.
If you believe that it doesn’t matter what you believe, that everybody believes the same God, that we’re all going to make it if we just sincerely believe whatever it is we believe, then I want to say that you are sincerely wrong. We’re not all God’s children. We’re not all gonna make it to the other side. There is a hell according to this bible. And there will be everlasting judgement to who don’t make it to the other side. There is a lake of fire and there is eternal torment that every lost sinner will endure. You say I don’t believe that. I don’t think God’s gonna do it. He’s too loving. I think that when it comes down do it, God’s just is not going to go through with it. John, the apostle, got a glimpse of the last days. You say How are we supposed to know what’s going to happen? Nobody really knows what’s going to happen in that last day! John knew. God showed it to him and told him to write it down.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
When you stand before that great white throne of judgment, do you think that God is going to change his mind at the last second? That He’s gonna close those books and say Never mind. Oh you’re not in the book of life. No problem. We’ll just over look that. You can come in anyway. Listen, God is not going to change his mind. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. Five verses later, he told John (Revelation 21:5) Write: for these words are true and faithful. John said in Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, God is not going to change. He said by the prophet Malachi (3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? We believe that he does that now. Today. We believe 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Now, not later. Most all of the other so-called Christian religions believe that if you get baptized and try hard and do your best and stay faithful that somehow in the end, God is going to freely give you all things at that white throne judgment. And my heart breaks for those that believe that. God is going to give them all things. But it will be all things that they deserve. Jesus said (Matthew 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
You say Preacher I really don’t see the difference between what they believe and what we believe. I pray that God will open your eyes that you may see. Lord willing we’ll cover some of those things today in the message. Last time we preached, we preached on that great truth that God is for us. We talked about those four pillars that hold this truth up: predestinated, called, justified, and glorified. (Romans 8:31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? And we preached that God is for us. And really that’s just half that sentence. The rest of that sentence is the question is Who can be against us?
And just like we’ve been preaching for months, this is now. This is present time truth. God is for us now. What can be against us now? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? This is a now question. He that spared not his own Son. That’s God the Father. The bible says (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. No variableness, neither shadow of turning? Do you know what that means? That means God doesn’t change. That God is faithful. That verse in Malachi that we just read For I am the LORD, I change not; The rest of that verse says therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Isn’t it strange that the same faithfulness that sustains us and provides for us and protects us is the same faithfulness that will judge the sinner on that last day? John said his name is Faithful and he doth judge and make war. He told John that whosever was not written in the book of life he was going to cast into the lake of fire and he said write it down because the words are faithful. God is faithful. He is faithful. So you see if God would change his mind about what he told John to write down in Revelation, then he would cease to be faithful. He said these words are true and faithful. If God changes his mind, then he will cease to be true and faithful. But he says For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
So we enjoy the provisions, protection, and affections of the Father today and now and this present time because He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all is faithful and true.
#1 There will be no indictment, charges
(33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
When we got saved, all the record was wiped away. All the charges that were against us were dismissed. If someone wrongs you, steals from you, hurts you, or violates you in some way shape or form. There’s probably a law against it. So what we can do it press charges. We can bring these charges before a court of law and a judge will determine if there’s going to be a trial. Or sometimes they’re brought before a grand jury. And if there’s enough evidence then we go to trial. So when someone commits a crime, before a trial date can be set, before the witnesses testify, before all that, charges need to be pressed.
Before I got saved, the charges were building up. Like the old song says That an Old Account was standin’ for sins yet unforgiven. My name was at the top there were many things below. But I went unto the keeper and I settled it long ago. When that account was settled, the charges were dropped. But what I want to say is that not only was my slate wiped clean, but it was also broken and thrown away, never to be used again. All the charges were dropped. Past, present, and future. How can God forgive sin that hasn’t happened yet, future sins? When Jesus died on the cross, all you sins were future sins. (Hebrews 9:14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? He offered himself through the eternal Spirit; the spirit of the past, present, and future; no begimning and no end.
There will be no charges, no indictments. It is God that justifieth. And I believe he’s really referring to the previous verses. In other words, we can say that it is God that justifieth. It is God that glorifieth. It is God that has called us. It is God that has predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son. We preached about last week how God is so for us that it’s not even funny. He is so on our side, it’s amazing. That’s the amazing grace of God. He is for us. We are his elect. So Paul asks, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? Who’s going to go to God and accuse God’s people of something?
Have you even had to deal with those parents that think that they’re kids can do no wrong?
(Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
There will be no sentence given, decision, doom, judgement, no verdict against us.
(34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who is he that condemneth? I want to take this opportunity to cover some things about comdemnation. I want to cover something about this white throne judgment that we spoke of earlier. I want to cover some doctrine here.
When you hear the word condemnation I want you to hear the loud echoing final slam of the judge’s gavel. I want you to place yourself in the courtroom; where the judge orders the accused to stand and receive the verdict; where the judge says Guilty as charged. And in the case of capital punishment, the judge says The court doth order you to be taken from hence to the place from whence you came, and thence to the place of execution, and that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead and may God have mercy upon your soul… And the gavel comes down. The trial is finished, the verdict has been given, and the sentence has been declared.
The bible says (Hebrews 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: There is going to be a judgement. And we call this the white throne judgment of Revelation 20 where the dead, both small and great, will stand before the judge. The books are going to be opened. You say What books? (Holding up my bible) These books. These 66 books are going to be opened up. And more particularly the first five books, the law of God. And the dead will be judge out of what is written in the books.
I want to remind you that Paul said (Romans 3:20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. When those books are opened they will not reveal righteousness, but they will give the knowledge of sin. Paul said (7:7) I had not known sin, but by the law. Those books were not written to reveal righteousness in man, but sin and iniquity. The law was never given to man as a ladder to gain heaven. It was not given to save, but to condemn. (Romans 5:13) For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. The law was given to impute sin; to convict of sin. (Romans 7:12,13) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. The law was given to reveal sin, to impute sin.
The dead will stand before God and he books are going to be opened. And if those books that are opened are the books of the law we have to understand what Paul told Timothy (1 Timothy 1:9) We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, I want to say this. You don’t want to go to the white throne judgment. You will not stand before those books when they’re opened. How do I know that? Because (Romans 3:10-12) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
My friends, the white throne judgment is a court of law. It’s a trial. You can’t have a trial without law. You can’t have a judge without law. Those books are the law of God. (Romans 3:19,20) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
So if you think that somehow when you get to that white throne judgment, and that you’ve been good enough by whatever standards you got… If you think that it’s going to be enough to get you in, I hope you realize that you are expecting the everlasting, eternal, almighty God that has never changed and never will change, to change for you at the last second. I warn you that God is not going to change.
I want to say this. And I’ve debated as to when to say this. But if you think that at the white throne judgment that your hope is in that other book that was opened, the book of life, you better think again. I believe with all my heart, nobody that stands at the white throne judgment will be found in the book of life. You say Why is it opened then? It’s opened so you can see for yourself that you’re not in there. You think God don’t know who’s in that book? Do you think God needs to search the book?
Jesus said (John 10:14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep… (2 Timothy 2:19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. (1 Corinthians 8:3) But if any man love God, the same is known of him. Brother Jeremy been saying alot lately that it’s good to know God, but what really matters is does he know you? Matthew 7:23, the saddest words in the bible, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. It’s not God that needs to look at that book. He knows who’s in and who’s not in that book. (Psalms 1:6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
It’s the dead that will stand before God. It’s the dead that will be judged according to their works. It’s the dead that the sea gives up, the dead that death and hell deliver up. Four times the bible declares that the white throne judgment is for the dead! Jesus said to those Sadducess (Matthew 22:32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. The white throne judgment is not for the living. It’s for the dead.
Jesus said (John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Listen, that white throne judgement is not for the saved. The only way you’re gong to survive the white throne judgement is to not go through it. And Jesus is the only one that’s gonna get you out of having to go through it. (John 10:10) I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The apostle John, towards the end of his book, he wrote of the gospel: (John 20:31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. He wrote the gospel of John to persuade; to persuade men to believe in Jesus Christ. And then you see years later in his letters, he write to those who have been persuaded (1 John 5:13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life. John said that ye may know that ye have eternal life! He said we know that we have passed from death unto life! The white throne judgement is not for us, it’s for the dead.
That white throne judgment is at the end of Revelation 20. And I don’t want to get into all these eschatological topics: the 1000 year reign of Christ, the rapture, the tribulation, the binding and loosing of Satan, and all those things. But I do want to bring your attention to a few verses before the white throne judgment. This happens before.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)
What I want you to get out of this and understand is that there’s two resurrections. He said This is the first resurrection. Those who are in this first resurrection, they will live and reign with Christ a thousand years. And the bible says Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. Sounds to me like you want to be in the first resurrection. You don’t want to take part in the second resurrection because at the second resurrection is the second death. When death and hell and whosoever was not found written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, the bible says (Revelation 20:;14) This is the second death. You want to be in the first resurrection because Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power. They say if you’re born twice you’ll die once, but if you’re born only once, you’ll die twice. If you’re born twice, of the flesh and the Spirit, if you’re born again, you’ll only have to endure a physical death. But if you’re never born again, only born of the flesh, then not only will you die once, but you’ll have to suffer the second death.
There’s two resurrections! (Daniel 12:2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And this is where alot of people go wrong. Those Sadducees that came to Jesus, remember? They didn’t believe there is a resurrection. The bible says (Matthew 22:29) Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (31-32) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
I’m glad I’m of the living. (Romans 6:11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The reason we don’t have to go through the white throne judgment is because Christ has already been through it for us. We don’t have to go this court of law, because law and sin hath no more dominion over us. We are not under the law, but under grace. (Galatians 4:4,5) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. God sent forth his Son made under the law. And when I was crucified with Christ, it was under the law. The law was satisfied. The account was settled. (Colossians 2:13,14) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Look, you only go to court of law if you’ve been accused of breaking that law. The bible says (Jude 1:24) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Thank God he’s forgiven all my trespasses. He’s blotted out all the handwriting of ordinances that were against me. He took it out of the way. My sins are gone gone gone! I don’t have to see the judge when this is all over. I already saw the judge. (John 5:22) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: I already went to him for judgment. And I found out (John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. I went to him and he didn’t cast me out. He told me that he loved me and wanted to save me. Oh, I’m telling you that if you go to him now, you’ll find mercy. But if you wait until you’re summoned on that last day, it will be too late. The white throne judgment is not for the saved, but for the lost. It’s not for the living, but for the dead.
Look, you only go to court of law if you’ve been accused of breaking that law. If you have no charges, then you have no business before the judge (Ephesians 5:25,27) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Then you look at Solomon, the bridegroom, talk to his beloved bride. This is a picture of Christ and his bride (Song of Solomon 4:7) Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. They’re gone gone gone. My sins are gone. And I am the bride of Christ.
And let me bring this all the way back to our text. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died… Paul is operating under the premise that his readers understand that it is Christ that will judge. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Why would Christ put us through a trial that he’s been through himself for us already? And paid the price and died in our stead? And took his blood and washed us in it? He shed his own blood to make atonement for our sin; to cover them; to forgive them. Why would we have to stand trial for that again? Because we’re not. The white throne judgment is not for the living, but for the dead.
Like I said, let me try to bring this back to where we are today. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. God is for us. And at the great white throne judgment at the last day, if God is for us then and not against us, how could he ever be against. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Do we really think that that he who has kept us from the wrath to come, from the second death, the lake of fire, is going to be against us? And then on top of that, we know that he is risen again at the right hand of God making intercession for us. I guess Paul is just driving home the point of what a ridiculous notion it is to think that God is against us.
There will be no sentence, decision, doom, judgement. There will be no verdict against us. There won’t even be a trial. The Holy Spirit is praying for us down here. And the Son of God prays for us up there. With his nail scarred hands and his wound in his side. Before the throne my surety stands. He’s my advocate, my representative in heaven. And then The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. So if we are the bride of Christ, our husband is not only advocating before the judge, but he is the judge. We’ve got alot going for us amen? For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
- Judgement seat of Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10
- 2 Resurrections
- 1st Resurrection
- 1 Firstfruits: 1 Corinthians 15:20
- 2. Main Harvest: 1 Corinthians 13:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; John 14:16-18
- 3. Gleanings: Revelation 20:4-16
- 2nd Resurrection
- Revelation 21:11
- 1st Resurrection
- 2 judgments:
- Explain the difference between the two judgments
- White throne judgment: Revelation 20:11-15
- Judgement seat of Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
- Explain the difference between the two judgments
#3 There will be no punishment, defeat, death, sentence carried out.
(35-36) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.